Dirt biking is a sport in which both children and adults drive lightweight motorbikes over an oval track filled with jumps and turns. It's often labeled as an extreme sport... In this blog post I want to prove that dirt biking can be very safe, fun and affordable !

Here are a few tips on how to get started in dirt biking for both kids, and adults :

"Uh, do you live in America? 'Cause it buys a WaveRunner. Have you ever seen a sad person on a WaveRunner? Have you? Seriously, have you? Try to frown on a WaveRunner. You can't! They're so awesome, it's just throttle. People smile as they hit the pier. Because you forget, you need gas to turn. It goes against your natural instincts. Some of you aren't laughing; we all miss your cousin, but not laughing's not gonna bring him back. He's dead for a reason. He was a show-off, and he tried to spray us. "I didn't wanna get wet!" I yelled at his mother at the funeral. " ~ Daniel Tosh

Since summer in Seattle lasts for only 2- 2.5 months, I've always thought that owning a jet ski ( or a boat ) was impractical. Besides, honestly, I've never considered jet skiing to be fun. Well, may be I was just doing it wrong...

The Monster Energy AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, returned to Seattle’s CenturyLink Field last Saturday night.

HyperActiveX had a great pleasure to be invited by Toyota to attend that event, and to meet the team's riders Phillip Nicoletti and Vince Friese at the Pit Party.

Toyota has served as an official partner of Monster Energy Supercross
for nine seasons. The platform provided by Monster Energy Supercross
with its on-track branding and one-of-a-kind Pit Party provides an
ideal avenue for Toyota to reach its consumers and potential buyers. As
the Official Vehicle of Monster Energy Supercross, the Tundra has been
a focal point for Toyota at the races, providing interactive demos for
attendees inside the Pit Party and offering fun, competitive contests
on the stadium floor for select lucky fans both in advance and during
each race.

I got to talk to Phil and Vince about their hopes and expectations, as well as the distractions and nerves that come with racing in a big stadium. I also learned about how they got started riding, and got a few tips on how to get my son involved in motorcycle racing.

That was first time attending a motocross racing event, and I had no idea how popular MX was in Washington ! It might not be the most popular sport, but it sure is the most exciting !

This is how it all started for me... I don't remember who, when or even why somebody recommended me this movie trailer. I was nothing like any of those people: I didn't really have any passion for anything, I loved comfort, I didn't want to sacrifice it for anything else, and I'd never considered myself to be a dirtbag ( I always thought it was just another name for "homeless" ) ...

A simple life has a different meaning and a different value for every person. Living a simple life is nothing new.The practice of voluntary simplicity is advocated in the teachings of Jesus, it also has its roots in the teachings of other world religions, the teachings of Gandhi, and the writings of Thoreau. The American Friends Service Committee (The Quakers) define simple living as a "non-consumerist lifestyle based on being and becoming, not having."

For me, it means spending my time doing what’s important to me, getting rid of many of the things I do so I can spend time with people I love and do the things I love.

The "23 Feet" movie trailer is a film about a community of people who make the conscious choice to live simply to do what they love in the great outdoors. Three women set out across the west in their 23 foot, 1970 Airstream to search for the stories of people who have turned their backs on the creature comforts of society to live in school buses, vans, and other small spaces. From an inspiring campfire chat with legendary Yosemite climber Ron Kauk, to hearing the powerful story of a woman who changed her whole life for surfing, 23 Feet gives an intimate look at the ups and downs of dedicating your life to your outdoor passion.

Driving along California's Pacific Coast Highway, and especially its most scenic part - Big Sur, has been on my Bucket List for a couple years !

An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging,
123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes
about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Designated an
All-American Road—among the nation's most scenic—the drive encompasses
both the Big Sur Coast Highway and the San Luis Obispo North Coast
Byway. ( National Geographic ).

Though I used to live in Southern California, have visited San Francisco and Sacramento, camped and hiked at Yosemite, visited Mt Shasta's Caverns, I've never been to Monterey/Carmel area before ( where Big Sur "officially begins" ).

That's why I was especially excited when Toyota invited me to test drive their stylish and luxurious 2014 Toyota Highlander in that area !

Ideally, my road trip along Big Sur would be driving a red convertible Mustang 1966 ( and hitting every major surf break along the way ! ), but cruising in a brand new Toyota Highlander Hybrid and relaxing in upscale Carmel Valley Ranch, sounded like ( at least half of the ) dream come true.

Then I took the Highlander for a scenic drive along winding 17 mile drive, and stopped by the famous Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Río Carmelo.

Agri-tourism ( a unique experience that combines traditional agriculture with tourism ) is growing in popularity in states like Washington, Oregon, California, as well as in the Midwest. I got a taste of it touring a couple local farms, learning about produce, and tasting unique treats ( deep fried artichokes ? with garlic sauce ? delicious ! ).

Unfortunately with so much time spent in Monterey/Carmel, it didn't leave me enough time to go on a full size road trip along Big Sur. I reached the famous ( and much photographed ) Bixby Bridge, and decide to head back home.

Over the past few years of travel, I've realized that there are places where I want to go back. With so many things not seen/done, I'm sure Big Sur will be one of them.

What makes an SUV an ultimate family adventure-mobile ? When it comes to your most precious cargo ( no, not your golf clubs, your kids are :)) the right vehicle is a must-have.

For families on the go, the car has become an extension of the home.
Finding a car that's comfortable, safe, reliable and has the features
that make life easier can be tough.

Nowadays, more families have shifted from traditional station wagons and minivans to crossover SUVs, and Toyota set out to create a vehicle without compromise for families who are going places and they want to get there in style.

The all-new 2014 Highlander is a dynamic, stylish SUV that offers form and function that will keep your entire crew protected—no matter what road you’re on.

2014 new Highlander features

All-new exterior with three-row seating for up to eight,

Increased cargo capacity,

Three power train choices: a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine, a
powerful V-6 with a new six-speed transmission, and a V-6-powered Hybrid
Synergy Drive,

Entune Audio with Bluetooth phone and streaming music and touch-screen display,

Toyota has also made a number of improvements to the Highlander's interior,
including increased spaciousness along with a number of comfort and
convenience features:

Heated and ventilated front seats

Panoramic moonroof

Soft-touch materials throughout the interior

Seating for up to eight

Increased cargo capacity behind the third-row by 34 percent

Smart storage compartments

In-dash shelf with easy cable management -

Oversized 24.5L center console

Build on Toyota’s tradition of QDR (Quality, Durability, Reliability) and Safety, you will enjoy everyday adventures or once-in-a-lifetime trips in this upscale, sophisticated, and luxurious SUV ( that will also get you up to 28 mpg on highways ).

Last year, while driving cross country, and passing through Montana, I (unexpectedly ) fell in love with this beautiful state, and one of its most popular outdoor activity - fly fishing !

There is something very special about fly-fishing. The experience is not only about catching fish. Fly fishing offers the opportunity to enjoy and learn about nature,
relax, spend time with friends and family and even solve problems.

Fly fishing is a great stress reliever. It's is a great outdoor activity that combines physical and mental therapy. Learning how to tie flies, cast a fly rod and hook a few fish and then
going on a fishing outing ,
introduces people with ADHD, PTSD, and anxiety to the tranquility and fascination that fly fishing
offers.

Of course I added fly fishing to my Bucket List :) And it was only the matter of time before I got to try it !

A few weeks ago, while visiting Cle Elum, WA to test drive 2014 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, I had a great opportunity to go on a nice relaxing rafting float, followed by a brief fly fishing lesson with Troutwater, the local fly fishing guiding outfitter.

While drifting down the scenic Cle Elum River, we learned a lot about the area's geology, river ecology, wildlife, regional history, and of course, the basics of fly fishing.

The fly fishing part of the trip consisted of learning how fly and spin fishing differ, how to make the basic overhead
cast and a roll cast, basic knots you will use every time you go fly fishing, how to make your own flies.
You'll also learn about the bare essentials you need to get started in
this fun and addictive sport.

But as we know, knowledge without action is futile. That's why, once you've mastered the basics, the next hour or so you spend trying to catch your fish. According to our guide, the Cle Elum River is not the best place for fly fishing. For more thrill ( and fish ! ) the Yakima River ( which confluence with the Cle Elum River at the dam ) is a batter choice.

Though there wasn't a ton of fish in the river at that time, I still managed to hook a little one ! For me, it was truly a fun, educational, safe and successful day on the river !

A few months ago, I wrote a short post about the role of a vehicle in the life of an adventurer. For many of us, our cars are more than just transportation to get us from home to our favorite trail-head or surf break.

Whether you live in your van while climbing full time in Yosemite ( like Alex Honnold ), travel around US and Canada with your house-trailer in search of fresh powder, or living the good life for two months, cruising the Pacific coast catching waves, making friends, and living in a van ( like Cyrus Sutton ), you are very serious ( and picky ) about what you drive.

The more rugged and demanding your adventures, the longer your trips, and the more gear you need to haul, the more requirements you have when it comes to choosing your adventure-mobile.

Is is 4WD or AWD ? How does it handle demanding outdoor conditions like snow, dirt, mud, dunes ? Is it specious enough to keep all your gear and live in ( for at least a weekend ) ? Will it tow my additional toys like a dirt-bike/snowmobile/jet ski trailer ?

Most "outdoorsy cars" brag about off-road ability, durability and their towing capacity, but few have the heritage and durability of the new Toyota Tundra and 4Runner.

If you've been following this blog, you know that I'm not big into off-roading, but when I got a chance to test drive both Toyota Tundra and 4Runner inbeautiful and remote Cle Elum, WA, I was very excited !

Both cars proved to be real adventurous, go-anywhere, hard-core workhorses ! Not to mention their rugged exterior design, and interior refinements that add comfort and convenience without sacrificing their hallmark performance capability and excellent value.

While I enjoyed driving both cars on paved and gravel roads, unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to be behind the wheel to truly experience their off-road capabilities. I left it up to the professionals.

Piloted by off road racer Joe Bacal ( the winner of 2012 Baja 1000 ), and co-piloted by yours truly, we took Toyota 4Runner on off-road trails in the heart of the Cascade Mountains.

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner has kept its body-on-frame, pickup truck based
characteristics. Meaning, that when you take the new Toyota 4Runner
off-road, you will absolutely know it can perform.

What impressed me the most was Toyota’s Crawl Control (CRAWL) feature on its Trail model. The system helps maintain an appropriate speed to keep the vehicle under control and minimizes the load on drivetrain and suspension components. With the transfer case shifted into low range, CRAWL regulates engine speed and output (along with braking force), to propel the vehicle forward or in reverse at one of the five driver-selectable low-speed settings. This allows the driver to maintain focus on steering over rough level ground or steep grades without having to also modulate the throttle or brake pedal.

The Trail grade also features a Multi-Terrain Select system that dials in wheel- slip control to match the terrain. In loose terrain such as mud and sand, more-than- normal wheel slip is permitted, allowing wheel-spin to work in the vehicle’s favor. On bumpy moguls, or solid rock, wheel slip is minimized and the system acts more like a limited slip differential. The Mogul setting is for any extremely uneven terrain, such as V-ditches, slopes, and ridges, uphill or down. All models come standard with Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), which provides additional control for off-road driving by helping to hold the vehicle stationary before starting on a steep incline or slippery surface. All 4Runner 4x4 models feature standard Downhill Assist Control (DAC). This feature augments the low-speed ascending ability of low-range by helping to hold the vehicle, allowing time for the driver to a target speed with no driver intervention.

But the most exciting part of my trip was taking these cars on a beautiful and relaxing rafting trip with a gourmet dinner and introduction to fly fishing in the end !

Following my Bucket List, little by little I've been crossing things off of it. In 2011 I got my motorcycle enforcement, and in April 2012 I bought my first bike - 1985 Honda Rebel

It was love at first sight ! I had a blast riding that bike ! It was only 250cc ( which are generally lighter and easier to maneuver, easier to balance, and less likely to get the beginning rider into trouble ), but I had tons of fun, and it was a great experience !

One of my favorite rides was to Point Defiance, its 5 mile ride was peaceful and beautiful !

But even the most romantic fairy tale comes to an end :(

The day has come to upgrade to a bigger bike.

As you might know, one of my childhood dreams was to buy my own Harley. But right now, I'm debating between a Harley and a sports bike...

I like style and comfort that Harley offers, and I love speed and thrill that most sports bikes share.

Having ADHD doesn't help to make the choice :)

I also want to try dirt biking, and, who knows, may be plan to follow Che Guevara's bike route ...